Remove all unused structures in Bharathapuzha: Sreedharan

‘Such structures block flow of river, leading to flooding’

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation former managing director E. Sreedharan has suggested that all unused structures in the Bharathapuzha at Koottakkadavu, near Thrithala, be removed to help the flow of the river. Mr. Sreedharan, who is the president of the Friends of Bharathapuzha (FOB), an organisation for the conservation of the river, said that removing the unused structures was a must to prevent flooding. He said the structures, including pillars, had reduced the river’s flow by 30% and had been the main cause of the floods in 2018 and 2019. The Bharathapuzha and the Thuthapuzha converge at Koottakkadavu and flow west through Kuttippuram and Thirunavaya to empty into the Arabian Sea at Ponnani. As two rivers meet at Koottakkadavu, it was natural that the flow of water was high there, Mr. Sreedharan said. Mr. Sreedharan visited Koottakkadavu on Friday and examined the possibilities of flooding. He said with the removal of the pillars, the old pulimutt should be restored.